
Becoming a mother, or deciding to become one in the future, is an extraordinary and exciting time in a woman’s life. However, while many women desire to have children, some have reservations about the transformation the body goes through while pregnant and after giving birth. If your dream to create a family is tempered by fears of how your body will change after, there are a few things that can help put you at ease and help you plan for a beautiful, healthy future.
A mommy makeover is a colloquial name for a combination of procedures to help reverse the effects that pregnancy has on the body. A mommy makeover with Dr. Amy Alderman at North Atlanta Plastic Surgery includes some of the most advanced surgical options, from a breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, and labiaplasty. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at each of these procedures and how they can, individually and combined can, reverse the effects that pregnancy has had on your physical appearance.
What Is A Mommy Makeover?
As a mother of two herself, Dr. Alderman’s loves helping restore her patients confidence through mommy makeover surgery. A mommy makeover is a customized procedure plan that addresses the unwanted changes that occur during and after pregnancy. However, other frequently impacted areas are unwanted bra or back rolls, expanded hips and flanks, and increased tissue in the labia. When planning this versatile procedure, your hands are at the wheel, meaning you can decide which areas you want to improve.
What Is Typically Included in A Mommy Makeover?
Standard procedures included in a mommy makeover with Dr. Alderman include:
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck removes excess skin from the abdomen that has lost elasticity throughout pregnancy. This procedure also tightens and repair damaged abdominal muscles, which can become stretched out of position as the stomach grows to accommodate the growing baby.
Breast Lift
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause the breasts to sag or deflate and lose their once youthful position on the chest. A breast lift will return them to their original position by strategically removing excess skin and tissue. Dr. Alderman can also use your tissue to sculpt a rounder shape without needing implants.
Breast Augmentation
If your breasts have lost shape and appear deflated, Dr. Alderman restores lost volume with a breast augmentation procedure. You can choose the type of implant (silicone or saline) and determine the size and shape of implant that will compliment your physique.
Liposuction
Using a small tube and suction, liposuction removes localized fat pockets that are resistant to exercise and diet. You can choose to have liposuction on your abdomen, buttocks, hips, back, calves, and arms. Only small incisions are necessary to reach your targeted goal, meaning scarring is minimal and in discreet locations like under your bikini line or under the arms.
Labiaplasty
Childbirth can create the appearance of additional skin and tissue in this sensitive area, making it uncomfortable or embarrassing to sport your favorite form-fitting clothing. A labiaplasty can reduce the size of the inner and outer labia or correct asymmetrical labia. We highly recommend having this procedure after you’re finished adding to your family, as pregnancy and childbirth can reverse the results of your labiaplasty resulting in the need for additional surgeries.
What Is the Downtime for A Mommy Makeover?
The length of your downtime after a mommy makeover largely depends on the number of surgeries you choose to have included in your plan. Each surgery requires its own recovery time. Most surgeries require about one to two weeks off from work and strenuous activities and 4-6 weeks before you can resume normal activities.
You may need to spread out your procedures, but in some cases, surgeries can be performed together. During your consultation, Dr. Alderman will discuss these options and create a plan that works with your schedule while prioritizing your safety and health.
Do You Need To Lose Weight Before A Mommy Makeover?
It is recommended that you be at your ideal weight, which is sustainable for you, before undergoing any transformative surgery. This includes Mommy Makeover. If your procedure includes removing excess skin, losing weight afterward can result in additional excess skin that could require further surgery to maintain your results. Weight loss following breast surgery can cause the breasts to lose their fullness. Following a tummy tuck, weight loss could cause the skin on your stomach to appear loose. In the case of liposuction, losing weight before the procedure can make a recovery easier since less fat will need to be removed.
Eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity is the best route to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight—this can include a simple ten-minute walk per day. However, losing weight and achieving weight loss goals is easier said than done, especially after multiple pregnancies. In these cases, surgery can help you in your weight loss journey by helping you shed those last few pounds.
What Is the Difference Between A Tummy Tuck and A Mommy Makeover?
A tummy tuck and a mommy makeover are two key ways that plastic surgery can eliminate loose skin, repair abdominal muscles, and remove excess fat. A tummy tuck is a singular surgical procedure designed to reshape the abdomen after pregnancy or weight loss. It is performed under general anesthesia, where Dr. Alderman will tighten loose skin, remove excess skin and stubborn fat, and repair abdominal muscles. In contrast, a mommy makeover combination of plastic surgery procedures helps women regain their pre-baby physique. Treatments are customized to each patient’s needs and goals and may involve a breast lift, breast reduction, breast implants, liposuction, or labiaplasty.
How Many Sizes Can You Lose With A Mommy Makeover?
The number of sizes you’ll lose depends on several factors, including your original starting point, the procedures you choose for your mommy makeover, and your desired results. Some women can expect to drop one or two sizes after skin tightening and fat removal, while others drop more due to how their body responds. Dr. Alderman focuses more on patient safety and comfort over trying to achieve unrealistic expectations over results or specific dress sizes. However, she will work closely with you to achieve your desired outcomes. It’s important to mention that a mommy makeover isn’t a substitute for a healthy way of life. Still, it should be considered a partnering factor in your body transformation journey. If you are at or near your goal weight, a mommy makeover can help you reach your milestones and put the finishing touches on your figure that can’t be achieved through dietary means.
What Procedures Are Right For My Mommy Makeover?
What procedures to include in your mommy makeover should be determined by your concerns. For example, if you’re unhappy with the appearance of your breasts and stomach, a breast lift and/or augmentation with a tummy tuck would be the perfect combination for you. On the other hand, if your primary concerns involve excess fat that you can’t fully get rid of, liposuction should be a procedure you consider. Ultimately, you can determine the best singular or combination of procedures during your consultation with Dr. Alderman. First, you’ll have the opportunity to converse openly with her and discuss what areas you’re struggling with. Then, she’ll help you create a mommy makeover plan that enables you to reach your goals safely and effectively.
Schedule Your Mommy Makeover Consultation With Dr. Amy Alderman
The joys of motherhood and raising a family shouldn’t be diminished by your self-confidence regarding the changes in your figure. Embrace your role as a mother and regain self-confidence with a mommy makeover with Dr. Alderman. Dr. Alderman is known for her caring bedside manner, professional career, and accomplishments. She prioritizes patient education about what their body goes through during and after pregnancy and discusses different surgical options to help them reach their goals. To learn more about your procedure options and how they can help you, contact North Atlanta Plastic Surgery by calling (470) 381-3610 or completing our online contact form.